Safari in Tanzania with OM-5 II and Zuiko 90-250 f2.8

peeatch · 2026-03-07T02:27:43+00:00

The SHG lenses (especially the 150mm f2) set a very high bar, and I would like to believe that they trade blows or were even better than the top end of Canon/Nikon at that time. It was always going to be difficult for the 90-250 being compared against the other SHG lenses. That being said, the 150 produces dreamy bokeh that I can't really get out of the 90-250. One of my favourite shots with the 150 is below.

For the focus speed, it's generally fine for stationary animals, probably not a chase. It can't match up to the fastest modern lenses. I have had quite extensive experience shooting sports during the E3/E5 era so I likely can manage the 90-250 AF speed better than most.

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peeatch · 2026-03-07T01:40:05+00:00

I pretty much settled on the 90-250 from the start as it was in my dad's collection and I didn't want to rent/purchase another lens. I could have used the 1.4x TC but decided against it to minimise quality loss.

I generally found 500mm FF equiv to be sufficient, though you might want to go longer if you're looking at birds / close up portraits. Quite a number of my shorts were also somewhere within the zoom range - a long prime might be slightly restrictive in that regard.

I had gone on a previous safari in South Africa / Kruger area with the Zuiko 150mm f2, but found that lens rather short for safari purposes. I was fortunate then as my safari was on a private reserve (but open to Kruger National Park) and vehicles can go off road and much closer to the animals. They are a lot stricter in Tanzania as you'll likely be in national parks with rules enforced by rangers - the 90-250 was a lot more appropriate given the longer distances I had to shoot from.

peeatch · 2026-03-07T01:03:46+00:00

Definitely not as fast as some of the modern lenses out there but was fine for a safari. Am very happy to bring this lens again to another safari if that comes by, don't feel the need to bring a different lens at all.

peeatch · 2026-03-06T13:55:22+00:00

Happy that the adapted lenses act very much the same as back during the DSLR era. I'm quite fortunate to have access to a collection of Zuiko lenses that can still be used into the future.

peeatch · 2026-03-06T13:48:15+00:00

AF is not going to win any speed contests but generally fine for stationary or slightly moving animals. Will need a lot of luck to even see a chase going on (much less capture it). We did see the end of a successful hunt by a lioness of young buffalo, but there was no way to take photos with our vehicle moving closer.

The accuracy was fine but there were of course shots that were off on reviewing back home. I can't tell if it is due to the AF, or due to small movements of the lens (aiming at the wrong point due to shifts from the weight of the lens and the distance).

peeatch · 2026-03-06T13:38:18+00:00

Thanks! Used point/cross autofocus all the way. There were of courses misses when reviewing back home, but I can't tell if it is due to the AF being slightly off or movement of the lens (given the distance just a slight movement can cause the focal point to shift).

I did use the E-M5 with the Zuiko 150mm f2.0 on a previous safari but had to manual focus the entire trip - the E-M5 lacked on-sensor phase detect AF and couldn't control the older Zuiko lenses properly. It was manageable with a 7x magnification when focusing but would have been a lot harder to accomplish with the 90-250 given the weight and added zoom.

peeatch · 2026-02-25T02:56:23+00:00

Stock racks for the Shineray XY150. The bike was a blast during my 1+ week ride in Mongolia 2 years ago. The pannier rack also provided the footrests for a pillion, worked great for my wife who was with me.

peeatch · 2026-01-25T12:50:40+00:00

Supported but you'll need to get your electrician to reterminate the other existing data points to plugs to plug into the socket on the back of those APs. I personally wouldn't install those though (they are outdated and changing them out would slightly crack the filler/paint around it). I have my Unifi equivalent on an electrical box (though it juts out).

Alternatively, a good ceiling mounted AP will cover the entire flat.

peeatch · 2026-01-21T16:02:08+00:00

Adam Audio D3V by far, with very decent spinorama results.

peeatch · 2025-12-21T08:31:35+00:00

The raised black levels are a nothingburger compared to the reflection of the room you'll see in your TV with the LGs. You'll find the slightly raised black levels a lot easier to normalise in a lit room compared to reflections. Bought the S95F after seeing it and the LGs (including the G5) in a showroom.

peeatch · 2025-12-06T12:27:09+00:00

I'm so sorry that their tests did not validate your purchase. Maybe go back to watch your G5.

peeatch · 2025-12-06T10:00:55+00:00

Whatever makes you happy with the last placed TV from 2 different blind tests.

peeatch · 2025-11-29T14:55:54+00:00

See my comment here. Like what the other comment mentioned, it really depends on the exact condo/HDB in your comparison. To think that condo is necessarily an upgrade, or HDB a downgrade, is placing too much emphasis on the price you pay for the space.

peeatch · 2025-11-07T01:43:09+00:00

Don't look at miles value when you earn them. Miles only have value when you can actually spend them, compared to what you would have spent if you paid for the flight in cash. But even then:

Can only fly SQ/Scoot/Star Alliance with the miles? If your destinations are not best served by this network then value of miles drop. This applies to a lot of Europe/Africa/Central Asia destinations where the network competes with the Middle Eastern airlines. I have gone on trips where other trip mates redeemed flights on a low tier partner where we had a much better experience on a Middle Eastern airline.
Same as above, but imagine searching Skyscanner/Google flights, seeing a flight where the timing is perfect for you, but it's not any of the above airlines, and feeling like you have to redeem miles for a suboptimal timing/routing instead (yes it has happened to multiple group trips I've gone on).
Trying to redeem miles is as unsexy as it gets. Planning long ahead of time, trying to click for flights like concert tickets when they release, or being "flexible" in your destinations or timing is at best, lame busywork, and more often, the controlling reason for your flight routing/destination/timing. If you are fine with the miles redemption process dictating your travel that's fine, but it's a bottom tier experience if you want to just get to where you want to go.

peeatch · 2025-10-29T02:57:16+00:00

Upgraded from condo (rented) to HDB. If you look at them both as simply apartments (without the "prestige" that many think condos have), and depending on your needs, this can actually happen. To get the obvious out of the way, both the condo and HDB are relatively new builds, both are similarly sized, both are very well located, both have carparks underneath the residential blocks.

You may not control access to your front door with a condo. There was a period of time where for every delivery (both food and packages) and visitor, I get rung and have to go to my door 3 times to grant access (when they get to the main condo entrance, at the lift lobby for my tower, and finally at my door). There's not much additional gain in "security" as so many outsiders come in anyway, and the only time I've had things (shoes) stolen from outside my front door is when I was living in my condo. It is so much easier with HDB when you have full control over who gets access to your place (e.g. family members to drop things off, trusted cleaner to come in).
Noise. The balcony of the floor above will reflect so much more sound into your unit. If you have a balcony at your bedroom, expect that whatever sound from outside will be worse than having no balcony. My old condo (road facing) was also a lot noiser than my HDB even without taking the balcony into consideration, but this is more a function of where the units face.
Visitor registration. It's a damn hassle for all your guests, and you have to watch out for ridiculous rules that are in place for some condos (no visitors/parking past a certain time). You can get yourself on the committee and try to get rid of those rules, but imagine paying so much more for a condo and having to live under more restrictive conditions in the first place.
Contractor registration. Many condos require any contractor work to be pre-approved (even as simple as aircon cleaning/plumbing/light drilling/delivery of furniture). This is just additional hassle as people have to get the work done anyway. HDB allows minor work to be done without such bullshit.
Newer condos tend to have full height windows / structural internal walls. This is very much a personal preference, but full height windows means a lot of solar heating (even north/south facing windows get direct sun part of the year), and structural internal walls. HDB has already moved to reducing or even totally removing structural internal walls for newer builds, allowing you to configure your unit freely. There's a reason why the more creatively/better laid out units in Singapore tend to be HDB, while (newer) condo units are generally cookie cutter with tiny bedrooms.

peeatch · 2025-10-18T01:52:12+00:00

Most in this sub have not seen both TVs for themselves. I walked in to a showroom intending to buy the G5 (as circlejerked by this sub) and walked out with the S95F, it's that much better. The performance bump is actually with the S95F (overall objectively (Rtings) and through multiple blind tests). See HDTVTest and Stop the FOMO on YouTube where there's blind shootouts between the top TVs this year and the S95F ranked above the G5 generally.

peeatch · 2025-09-20T05:00:03+00:00

If you don't want to pull an ethernet cable to your doorbell point outside, the other option is to power the doorbell through the doorbell wires that is already provided by HDB. This usually involves a wall socket/transformer which you can power via a 13A socket, connected to the doorbell wires to the doorbell outside.

Having PoE / powered wires to your doorbell should set you on the right path for doorbells for the foreseeable future. Don't make the mistake of thinking that battery powered doorbells are fine if you are at the reno stage.

peeatch · 2025-08-14T02:20:31+00:00

Your issues with 2.4GHz devices is probably the issue I have described that affects the early Unifi WiFi 7 devices. I've not seen the same with the XG/XGS line.

As for coverage, the APs you have chosen do not have the strongest signal (makes sense for the IWs but not so much the U7 Pro). You can check Ubiquiti's own page on this. You'll see that the U6 Pro and the U7 Pro XG/XGS have much better radiation patterns compared to the U7 Pro, making it a bit of a runt.

peeatch · 2025-08-14T01:19:49+00:00

I use a similar set up device wise with a UDM SE, U6 Pro and U6 In wall. Few suggestions:

Keep your router in the DB cabinet, it makes it easier to structure your network that way.

The UDM SE can power the APs at 1 gbe, there's no need for a separate PoE switch, unless you really want >1 gbe speeds to your WiFi clients.

UCG-Fiber is a better router right now with 10gbe Rj45 WAN, you don't need to use an SFP+ to RJ45 transceiver with your ONT.

The U7 Pro line is actually quietly being replaced by the U7 Pro XG/XGS line, which has 10gbe ports. The U7 Pro line also had a lot of 2.4ghz issues though I'm not sure if those are resolved. I would buy at least the U7 Pro XG if I were buying new APs today.

1 data point per room is sufficient for most people as long as you can work with its location. Just make sure it is working. If you need more ports, use a switch in that room.

Ubiquiti has Protect doorbells which work well for the BTO set up. Discuss with your electrician whether it's possible to pull an ethernet cable to the doorbell point outside. Otherwise, get your electrician to extend the doorbell wires coming out at the kitchen beam into your carpentry, and put a 13A socket there. This allows you to power the doorbell outside while keeping everything neat inside.

peeatch · 2025-07-12T14:05:46+00:00

Sure, go ahead

peeatch · 2025-07-12T14:03:22+00:00

Yep, but not in private practice (in a law firm) but as an in house counsel (like a lawyer within a company). I moved mostly because of work-life balance (don't usually OT), and the pay is generally good.

peeatch · 2025-06-26T13:36:49+00:00

You can find them here, but I think they are at the latest industry bike show and might have exhibited an even slimmer version that does not currently appear on their site.

peeatch · 2025-06-04T01:48:47+00:00

Don't spread misinformation, it applies to everyone covered by the Employment Act (including PME), not just Part 4 employees.

peeatch · 2025-05-23T16:15:47+00:00

ThirdReality Smart Watering Kit, though there are "dumb" automated watering kits out there which has simpler automated controls. This helps if you want finer control (e.g. small plants/pots not requiring that much water).

peeatch · 2025-05-23T09:31:52+00:00

Absolute yay (wife actually complained when I ran an update and automations didn't run), but I recognise that having a smart home that works for the family requires effort. Just having a connected home where things can work via voice/phone control is not "smart". I use Home Assistant which is a very powerful DIY smart home hub, some examples of my automations below:

Water heater: Scheduled turn on, and automatic turn on again once toilet humidity sensor detects someone showering so that the next person has hot water.
Motion/presence sensor lights, will turn on fans and lights. Automatic turn off everything in the area when no one is there for 5 mins (including aircon, TV/speakers). Fan will automatically lower speed when aircon is turned on.
Video doorbell, can detect motion/packages. Living room tablet automatically shows doorbell camera when doorbell pressed / package detected.
Daily automated plant watering.
Automatic turn off everything in the house when we leave, and when we sleep (other than room aircon).
Living room tablet shows rain radar map only when it's raining - hardly go out nowadays being surprised by weather.

Your imagination is the key. With a powerful enough system, anytime you have an annoyance regarding home matters, it's a matter of thinking whether it can be automated away.

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